Building Blocks

9 Months 7-9 Months

Typical Development o Sits without support o Reaches for toys while sitting

o Looks for toys you hide o Responds to name when called o Makes sounds to get attention o Imitates gestures: funny faces, waving, clapping o Shouts to gain attention o Understands “no” and “bye-bye” o May be clingy with familiar adults

Normal Development � Imitates gestures

� Points to make wants known � Responds to name when called � Makes sounds to get attention � Sits without support � Crawls on hands and knees o Uses fingers to point o Brings cup to mouth o Explores objects with hands and mouth o Smiles at mirror image � Grasps small objects � Brings cup to mouth � Smiles at mirror image o Moves from tummy or back to sit up o Crawls on belly or hands and knees o Grasps small objects with thumbs and fingers

Developmental Problems � Has difficulty holding head up when sitting � No response to sound Red Flags for Developmental Problems t Has difficulty holding up head when sitting t Has difficulty sitting alone t Legs are stiff and toes are pointed: difficult to bend legs or move them apart t When held in standing: legs seem too stiff or too weak t Does not use arms and hands to reach out and grasp toys t Does not respond to sound or responds only to loud sounds t Does not interact vocally by making sounds or makes sounds only in monotones

� Responds only to loud noises � Makes sounds in monotones � No speech sounds are heard � Legs are stiff/toes are pointed � Bears weight poorly on legs � Arms/hands are used poorly � No vocal interactions Activities to Enhance Development • Provide a safe space to pivot and crawl • Sing and talk to baby • Point to pictures • Roll balls to baby • Play simple games like peek-a-boo • Talk about activities during play • Make play sounds and wait for response: taking turns • Name body parts while playing, bathing and dressing • Read to your baby Activities to Enhance Development Give safe space to pivot and creep Provide toys to bang together Bath tub toys More squeaky toys Big, soft blocks Jack-in-the-boxes Talk about activities during play Nested plastic cups Simple hide-n-seek games Family crawling races Roll balls to baby Make play sounds and wait for response Name body parts during bath • Bath tub toys • Squeaky toys • Pop-up toys or jack-in-the-box • Nested cups • Bowls and shapes for taking out and putting in Appropriate Toys • Blocks or simple toys to bang together

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